Wheel



N. N. oKuN Nov. l2, 1940.'

WHEEL Filed Deo. 2,1, 15536 2 sheets-sheet 1V l lPatented Nov. 12,1940

UNITED STATES PATENT o FElcE WHEEL Nathaniel N. kun`New York, N. Y.,assignor of one-third to Charles D. C.

Ml Palmer, Washington,

- Application December 21.1936, serial No. 117,013 7 claims. (c1.sos-181.1)

The` present invention relates in general to wheels and particularly isconcerned with antifrictionally supported skate wheels although theinvention -in its broadest aspect is not limited in this respect. l

The primary object of the invention is topravide a functionally andstructurally improved anti-frictionally supported wheel wherein aninitial charge of lubricant is prevented from draining out of thecompanion races of the wheel and wherein dust, grit and dirt isprevented from entering theraces.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further residesin the details of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter morespecifically pointed out in the following detailed description of theaccompanying drawings in which Fig. `1 is a longitudinal verticalsectional view of my improved skate wheel according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a beaded and rela-v tively thin resilientmetalring.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 1, however slightly modified.

F1g. 4 is a longitudinal and vertical sectional view of another wheel.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 4, however slightly modified. A

Fig. 6 isv aV sectional view of another modiiled Wheel.-

Fig. 6A is a sectional view of the beaded spring or reinforced metalring employed in connection with Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

similar tov Fig. 8 but slightly shown in Fig. 1` comprises, an annularsleeve or bushing I I which serves as a bearing for a ilx'ed shaft(notshown). annular complementaryv shoes I2 are,` ilxedly mounted onbushing Il. Each kshoe I2 isprovidedwlth an annular groove I3. Aplurality of ann-friction rotatable members I4 are ar- Fig; 'I is afragmentary view of Fig. 6 however' As` showndjuxtapositioned ranged ineach annular groove I3. These rotatable anti-friction members may be,metal balls, rollers, or pins, of the type well known in the art.Although only balls have been illustrated, the invention comprehends theutilization of other anti-friction rolling means. These balls also serveto space the annular rim I5 of the wheel from shoes `I2 providing anirregular but annular channel or gap I6 in which lubricant, such as oilorA grease is disposed. The balls also cooperate with annular grooves I1in the annular rim I5 which includes a tread portion I8 adapted torollon a supportingv surfacev (not shown) whereby rim I5 rotatesrelative to shoes I2 and bushing Il. f

In assembling, shoes I2, which in fact, constitute the xed race of theanti-friction bearing dened by the spaced races are frictionally slid orforced onto bushing I I until limited by annular iiange'or hub I9.vBalls I4 are arranged in the grooves I3 of the shoes. Rim I5 is placedover *the balls I4.` Annular ring or hub is forced onto the bushing andthe latter is swaged or upset to provide annular lip 2I wedgeablyengaging clamping ring 20. By the present arrangement' the companion andjuxtapositioned shoes I2 Aare firmly held together between hubs IS and20, and rim I5` which constitutes the rotatable race of theanti-friction bearing, rotates on the -rotatable balls I4.

According tof the invention, effective elastic seals or connections 4areprovided between the shoes `I2 of the fixed race, and Vrotatable 'raceof the wheel to prevent the lubricant shown in dash lines from drainingout of channel i6 defined by the relatively rotatable and spaced races.The Ielastic connections also prevent dust and dirt from entering theirregularly shaped annular channel I6. For this purpose, each side ofthe rim of the wheel is provided with an annular groove 23 against whichis placed an annular relatively hardbre sealing ring or washer 24,

which if desired may be of a relatively thin'Bakef lite.` Moreparticularly fibrous or Bakelite washer' 24 is placed against anabutment vertical wall 25 dened by annular groove 23. This washeroverlaps a relatively flat outside vertical but straight end face 26' ofan adjacent xed shoe I2 and seals or' closes one end of the lubricantchannel For holding washer 24 against the fixed,V and movable races ofthe wheel, an annular spring or yieldable metal ring 21 is-provided.Ring 21 is a `one' `vpiece member and includes ahead 2i having an outerrectilinear marginal portion 29 .pressure exerting resilient or thrustring 3|. of

ciated outer margin 29 from which it depends.'

With bead 28 distorted slightly by pressure ring 3|, the inneroverlapping portion 33 of Washer 24 is held in yieldable and elasticabutting relation against an associated outside face 26 of the xed race.A snap ring 34 is appropriately fixed in each overhanging portion 35 ofthe rim of the wheel,A to anchor'and rmly hold the outer inarginalportion of the pressure exerting ring- 3| against margin 29 of beadedring 21 and the latter firmly against the sealing washer 24. When thuslocked to the fixed race,` washer 24-Y of the elastic seal or connectionyielding bears against the fixed race and is so held by the pressureimparted by the outwardly curved lip 32 of the thrust ring 3| ontobeaded ring 21 although the rotatable race revolves about the fixedrace. thus providing a resiliently actuated closure for. the lubricatingchannel I6 between the fixed and movable races of the wheel.

Since each side of the wheel is provided with a vented from draining outtherefrom and by reason of such elastic connections it'also follows thatdirt is prevented from entering this channel.V

' Y Accordingto the form illustrated in Fig. 3, the

the type shown in Fig. 1, is omitted. AIn Fig. 3, the pressure resultingfrom the deformed bead 28 is utilized to yielding and elastically holdan associated washer 24 against one end Iof the fixed race, and the snapring 34 locks a companion beaded ring 21 against the washer. In otheraspects the construction illustrated in Fig. 3, is identical to thewheel shown in Fig. 1 although with the form disclosed by the latter, agreater pressurel may be imparted to the sealing washer 24.

In Fig. 4, the elastic connections or lubricant seals are substantiallyalong the lines of the.

lip' 36 is disposed in alinement with the outerA margin .23 .andyielding and elasticallyi bears against washer 24 o f the elastic oryieldable seal` ing connection.

As -shown'in Fig. 4, juxtapositioned shoes I2 are provided with ytossesa1 fixediy heid in the arinular channel or groove 38 of the bushing II.

Shoes I2Y are slidably forced or keyed on bushing II to rotatetherewith. After they are appropriately positioned flange 39 may beforcedor swaged Also in Fig. 4 metai snap rings, such as 34 v` shown inFig. i are not used. Instead,the reduced lpart of the rotatablerace isprovided with annular flangesi 40 which` are swaged or bentagainst-the.pressure or thrust rings 3| to anchor the latter against beaded ring 21and the latter against the washer.

With the anti-frictionally supported wheel ac# cording to Fig. 6, fixedrace 4| is a part of shaftv 42 adapted to be iixedly held by means notshown.

This race includes an annular groove ,43 which cooperates with annulargroove 44 of the rotat able race 46 carried by rim I5 of the wheel torotatably confine anti-frictional rollers or balls I4 to permit rim I5and its race 46 to freely rotate relative to the fixed bearingv 4|. Inactual practice, relatively rotatable races` 4| and 46 form an annulargap 41 and obviously lubricant 48 within the housing or race 46 drainsthroughl gap or channel 41 and in a short time the wheel operates .dry.Dirt also enters into this gap as in the case of the gap or channel I6illustrated and described in connection with the embodiments with Figs.1-4 inclusive, causing the balls and the grooves of the races to wear,ultimately also causing the wheel to wobble.

Since the outer rotatable race or housing 46 encloses one end of thefixed race only one seal of the type shown in Fig. 1 is provided in theform according to Fig. 6. In this respect, however, annular washer 24cooperates with annular shoulder 48 of the fixed bearing to seal gap 41While a metal snap ring 34 is utilized to hold pressure or thrust ring3=| against the ribbed or beaded metal ring 21 and the latter againstthe annular washer 24. The snap ring b4 is held in place by the swagedannular flange or'inwardly bent lip 50.

In the form illustrated in Fig. '1, the pressure or thrust ring 3| iseliminated and snap ring 34 anchors the beaded ring 21 against theBakelite ring 24. In other aspects Fig. 7 shows a wheel identical to-theform illustrated in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 8, an annular ange 5I integral with Irim I5 of the wheel servesto fasten the elastic lubricant seal or connection in this instancecomprising flexible and resilient pressure or thrust ring 3|,'exible andresilient beaded ring 21 and the 'annular washer 24 which in partoverlaps Aannular shoulder 49 and is rotatable relative thereto butyieldingly in abutting relation therewith. In Fig. 9 the pressure ring3| is omitted. Otherwise, the embodiment illustrated thereby isidentical to the form 'shown' in Fig. 8 except that flange 5| isforcedagainst the outermarginal part 29 of the beaded ring 21. l

The wheel in Fig. 10 has its juxtapositioned shoes I2 of the fixed racermly secured to bushing by swagging or forcing annular flanges 6i!against the outer vertical faces thereof. `The rotatablerace of thewheel however is defined in'- wardly curved sides 62 and 63 constitutinga hollow shell generally denoted 64 to which is fixedly attached thespaced annular collars 65 each having an inwardly directed annularflange 66 adaptednto movably contact balls I4 and comprising anoverhanging laterally extending annular flange 61 which has its terminalbent or swaged `inwardly to a retaining lip 68 to approent lubricantseal or connection of the type shown in Figs. 4 and 8 although it is tobeunderstood that any of the other types of elastic sealing conraces. InFig. 10, an annular ring 10' serves 'as a spacer for the slightlyflexible and curved4 por'- tions 6I and aids to yielding hold theirgrooves 1| against the rotatable balls I4 and the latter againstgrooves' Il of the iixed race.

Concerning llig l1, the embodiment thereo! is identical to the showingof Fig. 10, except that the elastic sealing connections are without thepressure or thrust springs 3i.

In Fig. 12, a sectional and broken view of a wheel of avelocipede isshown.- Particularly a wheel o! a bicycle is illustrated in part. On thebushing Ii, shoes i2 are non-rotatably heid and are clamped together byring Il which is anchored by the swaged lip Il. The rotatable race Ilhitherto constituting the tread oi a skate wheel however is now used tosustain spokes U2 also secured to rim Il of the wheel on which thepneumatic tube Il is sustained. In other aspects the elastic lubricantseal at each end o! the bearing constituted by the xed and rotatableraces may be along the lines of` any of the pre- .vious forms disclosed,but as shown, is along the lines illustrated and described in connectionwith the embodiment of Fig. 5.

It is apparent therefore that the several embodiments herein disclosedeach show elastic sealing means to prevent lubricant from draining fromthe lubricant channel between the xed and rotatable races which inassociation with the rotatable or revolvable members il constitute ananti-friction bearing and these seais also channel. thus preventing wearof the balls and races and providing continuous, smooth and relativelyquiet operation of the rotatable race relative to the ilxed race. Itdesiredl the free edge of lip 3l may be rounded but before assembled itnormally is out of alinement lwith the outer nange 2l of its beaded ringI1.

In the broader aspects of the invention. I do 40 not desire to beimderstoodas limiting its embodiments to details herein showniilustratively as a wide variety of modifications may-be made within thescope o! the appended claims without departing troni the spirit of theinvention, for 45 example, although rolle'r skate and bicycle wheelsshowings have been made the invention is not limited to these devicesbut is equip-l1! applicable to any and all wheels having ananti-friction bearing comprlsing'a iixed and rotatable race. 50 reiaim:

' 1.'A seal for a wheel with a xed race having Va radial side facespaced from a movable race to provide a gap. said seal comprisinganannular disc `for closing said gap and disposed in part 55 againstsaid tace. annular diaphragm spring means disposed in closejuxtaposition and divrectly cooperatingwith said disc and comprising anannular hollow bead, and means for holding said disc ,and spring meansiixediy to said mov- 80 able race and tor deforming said bead forholding said disc yleldingly against said tace. -v 2. Aseai orawheelwithaiixedracehaving a radial side tace spaced from a movable race toprovide a gap. said seal-.comprising closure 65 means disposed againstsaid movable race and against said side tace, a beadedringhavingaApairoioppositelyextendingends'out preclude grit or dirt to enter thelubricating,

3 ofalinement, and means for holding one oi said ends flxedly againstsaid closure means to hold the latter iixedly against said movable raceto permit the other end o! said pair to yieldingly bear against saidclosure means to hold the latter yieldingly against said face.

3. A seal for a wheel with a xed race having a radial side face spacedfrom a movable race to provide a gap, said seal ,comprising annuariiexible closure means for saidgap secured to said movable race anddisposed in part against said tace, annular spring means comprising anannular reilexed portion, and means for holding a part of said springmeans against said closure means to distort saidreilexed portion andyielding'ly hold another part of Vsaid spring means against said closuremeans to yieidingly hold the latter against said face.

4. A seal for a wheel with a fixed race having a radial side face spacedfrom a rotatable race to provide a gap, said seal comprising annularilexible closure means for said gap secured to said rotatable race anddisposed in part against said face, annular spring means comprisingnormally oi'iset marginal portions and an annular bead merging with saidmarginal portions, and means for nxedly holding one of said marginalportions against said closure means to deform said bead and urge anotherof said marginal portions yieldingly against said closure means and thelatter yieldingly against said face.

5. A seal for a wheel with a ilxed race having a radial side face spacedfrom a rotatable race to provide a gap, said seal comprising annularmeans for closing said gap, annular spring means comprising oiisetmarginal portions and an intermediately disposed annular bead integraland merging with said portions, and means for xedly holding one of saidmarginal portions against said annular means for slightly deforming saidbead to permit another oi' said marginal portions to provide radialpressure relative to and against said annular means to dispose thelatter yield- Y ingly against said face.

6. A seal for a wheel with a fixed race having a radial side face spacedfrom a rotatable race to provide a gap, said seal comprising resilientand annular closure means disposed against said rotatable race andagainst said side face, a ilexible ringhaving an annular bead, and meansfor holding a part of said ring iixedly against said closure means andfor tensioning said bead to hold another part oi' said ring yieldinglyagainst said closure means to yieldingly `hold the latter against saidi'ace.

7. A seal for a wheel with` a fixed race having

